Phil Hay has been speaking on the latest edition of The Athletic’s The Phil Hay Show about all things relating to Leeds United.
One of the topics that Hay spent some time on was the Whites’ signing of Raphinha.
Leeds managed to buy the 24-year-old for £16.72m, and since then he has made 16 Premier League appearances in which he has contributed four goals and four assists, turning in some very impressive displays throughout the season.
So, it looks like a good deal as it stands, and while expressing his delight at that, Hay revealed one of the main reasons Leeds were able to prise him away from Ligue 1 side Rennes.
He said: “It was suggested to me in the summer that one of the reasons why Rennes were so willing to take the money for Raphinha was in part because he wanted to go, but more to the point, because actually, it was bringing in a fairly chunky amount of income.
“I think you can argue that they’ve undersold themselves badly by selling him for £17m, certainly judging by what we’ve seen so far.
“But there was just that feeling that even though they were going into the Champions League and even though they’re in about as good a position as they’ve ever been in, that they were potentially feeling a bit exposed. All doesn’t seem to be particularly well in French football at the moment.”
Are you pleased Leeds signed Raphinha?
Yes, he has been fantastic
No, he hasn't been that good
TIF Thoughts on Raphinha’s move to Elland Road…
As Hay alluded to, the TV deal for broadcasting Ligue 1 matches has collapsed in France, which could be why Rennes decided to take the fee they did for Raphinha despite him starting the season well for them.
The 24-year-old is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt and after an average start to life with Leeds with just one direct goal contribution in his first eight league games, he seems to have hit his stride and is finding ways to contribute on the pitch.
So, Rennes got the money they wanted to help them, and the Whites got a player who seems to have adapted to the Premier League brilliantly.